GB2140906A - Improvements relating to flashlights - Google Patents

Abstract

A flashlight comprising a body for housing one or more dry cells, a bulb holder 13, a head portion 11 detachably mounted on the forward end of the body and surrounding the bulb holder 13. The head portion 11 is capable, when detached, of receiving the rear end portion 10c of the body so as to form a base for supporting the body and bulb holder in an upright position. The head portion 11 includes a reflector and may be connected to the body by means such as co-operating threads 14 on the head portion 11 and the body. A rotational movement of the head portion 11 relative to the body about the lengthwise axis of the body, may therefore adjust the axial position of the head portion 11, and thus the reflector, relative to a bulb 12 mounted in the bulb holder 13 so as to adjust the shape of the beam produced. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to flashlights This invention relates to flashlights.

According to this invention there is provided a flashlight comprising a generally cylindrical body for housing one or more dry cells, a bulb holder secured at the forward end of the body, a head portion detachably mounted on the forward end of the body and surrounding the bulb holder, said head portion being capable, when detached, of receiving the rear end portion of the body so as to form a base for supporting the body and bulb holder in an upright attitude.

In preferred arrangements according to the invention the head portion includes a reflector and is connected to the body by means whereby a rotational movement of the head portion relative to the body about the lengthwise axis of the body adjusts the axial position of the head relative to a bulb mounted in the bulb holder so as to adjust the shape of the beam produced by the bulb and reflector. Said means may comprise co-operating screw-threads on the head portion and body or may comprise a helical slot and a pin engaged in the slot, the slot and pin being one on the head portion and the other on the body. A scale and a co-operating pointer may be provided one on the body and the other on the head portion to indicate settings of one relative to the other.

The invention also provides a flashlight comprising a body for housing one or more dry cells, a bulb holder mounted on the body, a head portion detachably mounted on the body about the bulb holder and including a reflector extending about the bulb holder, said head portion being connected to the body by means whereby a rotational movement of the head portion relative to the body about the lengthwise axis of the body adjusts the axial position of the head relative to a bulb mounted in the bulb holder so as to adjust the shape of the beam produced by the bulb and reflector, and a scale and pointer formed one on the body and the other on the head portion to indicate settings of one relative to the other.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a flashlight according to the invention in its normal operating condition.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the flashlight of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the head portion and body of the flashlight of Figure 1 separated from each other, Figure 4 shows the flashlight of Figure 1 in its alternative operating condition, and Figure 5 is a part end view part sectional view on line X-X of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the flashlight comprises a cylindrical body part 10 including a hollow cylinder barrel 10a and a modulated front end portion 10b secured on the barrel, a head portion 11 incorporating a curved reflector lia, and a bulb 12 mounted in a bulb holder 13 secured to the forward end portion lob. A spring strip 1 1b is located in a slot 10d in the front end portion lob.The spring 1 ib is formed so as to have a central outward protrusion 17, the ends of the spring being located between the barrel 10a and the portion 10b. The inner periphery of the head portion 11 is formed with axial grooves 18, and the protrusion is thus pressed resiliently into engagement with the grooved surface. The body has a rear end cap 1 Oc screwthreaded thereon to enable dry-cells for powering the flashlight to be inserted and removed. The head portion and body are connected together by means of complementary helical screw-threads 14, and as can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 the screw-thread is of relatively large helix angle.This screw-thread connection is employed not only to allow the head portion to be detached from the body part but also to enable the axial position of the head portion including the reflector relative to the bulb holder to be adjusted, thus to enable the shape of the beam cast by the reflector to be adjusted. Rotation of the head portion causes the protrusion 17 to move out of engagement with one groove against the biassing of the spring 1 1b and then into engagement with the next groove with the action of the spring. The head portion is thus rotatable stepwise in a series of "click-stops". A scale 15 and co-operating index pointer 16 are respectively provided on a flange of the front end portion 1 orb of the body and on the head portion and serve to indicate the normal range of positions of the head portion.The pointer 16 is marked on a radially projecting rib 16a which enables the required adjustment to be made by the thumb of the hand holding the flashlight. In the illustrated version the scale 15 has nine marked positions spaced equally around the front end portion lob, which positions correspond to respective settings of the reflector, but any desired arrangement may be provided.

When the head portion has been detached as shown in Figure 3, it can then be inverted to form a base and to provide a socket in which the body can be located by its rear end cap 1 ova as shown in Figure 4. In this alternative condition of operation the bulb provides general all-round illumination.

In a modified arrangement (not illustrated), the screw-thread interconnection of the head portion to the body is replaced by a pin and helical groove connection. The pin is mounted in a hole in the body and is resiliently loaded into a radially outermost position by a spring, e.g. a leaf-spring, within the body. The helical groove is formed in the head portion, and the pin can be disengaged from the slot by depressing the pin against the force of the spring to enable the head portion to be disconnected from the body for use as a base for the body as previously described.

In another arrangement (not illustrated), the spring 11b and grooves 18, are replaced bya helical compression spring. The compression spring is seated against the front end portion 1 Ob about the bulb holder and engages a peripheral flange on the reflector to press the reflector against the rear side of the lens 1 ic. In this arrangement, the compression spring imparts a degree of "feel" to the adjustment as the head portion is rotated.

Claims (9)

1. A flashlight comprising a generally cylindrical body for housing one or more dry cells, a bulb holder secured at the forward end of the body, a head portion detachably mounted on the forward end of the body and surrounding the bulb holder, said head portion being capable, when detached, of receiving the rear end portion of the body so as to form a base forsupporting the body and bulb holder in an upright attitude.

2. Aflashlight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head portion includes a reflector and is connected to the body by means whereby a rotational movement of the head portion relative to the body about the lengthwise axis of the body adjusts the axial position of the head portion relative to a bulb mounted in the bulb holder so as to adjust the shape of the beam produced by the bulb and reflector.

3. A flashlight as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means comprises co-operating screw threads on the head portion and the body.

4. A flashlight as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means comprises a pin mounted in a hole in the body, said pin being resiliently loaded into a radially outermost position by a spring disposed within the body and a helical slot formed in the head portion with which slot the pin co-operates.

5. A flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein a scale and a co-operating pointer are provided one on the body and the other on the head portion to indicate settings of one relative to the other.

6. A flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein further means are provided to impart a degree of "feel" to the adjustment of the head portion.

7. A flashlight as claimed in claim 6 wherein said further means comprises a coil spring disposed about the reflector and seated against the front end portion about the bulb holder at one end and against a peripheral flange on the reflector at the other, thus urging the reflector against the rear side of a lens disposed in the head portion.

8. A flashlight as claimed in claim 6 wherein said further means comprises a spring strip disposed on the outer radial surface of the front end portion and axial rib and groove formations on the inner surface of the head portion, said spring strip having an upstanding protrusion which is radially outwardly resiliently biassed into engagement with the groove formations and to be movable from groove to groove upon rotation of the head portion in such a way that the head portion can occupy any one of a series of fixed positions relative to the body of the flashlight.

9. A flashlight substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.